Twenty Four

Okay, not such a great picture, but I only took 5 to choose from yesterday, and this was the best of the worst!

Adam actually got to join us for church for 2 weeks in a row, wow! That seriously just makes my day. He did have to head over to the restaurant directly after and so the kids and I ate there for lunch. The kids LOVE it when we go to Daddy's restaurant...ok, we don't own it, lol...but he works just as hard and is treated as a partner, so that's nice. When we go there, everyone spoils the kids and gives them candy, ice cream, mozzarella sticks...anything they can dream up. I love that we are always wecomed there and not seen as noisy nuisances! This pic is Kalan eating his "lunch" of ice cream! I tried to get some chicken in him, but when there's ice cream offered, a 2 year old's mind quickly forgets the other stuff! I found the following quote quite true, especially when dining with 3 small children...and you're not at McDonalds!

"We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up." Phyllis Diller

TWENTY THREE

What a fun day! We went to a double birthday party for some friends out at Clay's. They had arranged for an artist friend to paint the kids faces and my kids LOVED that. I was starting to wonder if Amaya was going to want one on her forehead next since both her cheeks were painted! The weather started out a bit sketchy, but the rain held off and we enjoyed a day of friendship, cake and fun!

When we got home, we all had a little rest time...well, Kai had "dinosaur time", Amaya colored, Kalan napped, and I had "Lifetime Movie time" :) After that I made Amaya's FAVORITE meal ever..fettuccini alfredo. She could seriously eat this for every meal, and the boys seemed to enjoy slurping the noodles as well as the sauce dripped off their noses and chins!

Looking forward to my favorite day of the week, Sunday, tomorrow!

"Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built." ~Dr. James C. Dobson

TWENTY TWO

Tonight, everyone climbed in Kai's bed for story time. Friday is Library day for Amaya's class at school, so Kai is always excited to see what book(s) Amaya brings home. Today she brought home "Oh Say Can You Say?" by Dr. Suess. Wow...the whole book is full of tongue twisters and the kids all got a kick out of listening to me stumble through them! We actually had a pretty smooth evening. There was one crisis with Kalan jumping on Amaya, but other than that, the kids played together well until bedtime! It's nights like these that I don't mind reading just a couple extra stories...and they don't mind hearing them! This is a pic of them all laying with Kai in his bed, ready for their story!

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that
you cherished them."~Richard L. Evans

TWENTY ONE

Today, to get out of the house a bit, my mom and I took the boys to Inflatable Zone...it has a ton of bouncy houses and slides...perfect for little boys to bounce all of their energy out on!

My mom and I even did the big slide with the boys. When I asked Kai if he liked it when we slid with him, he said, "that was awesome, mom!" Awesome?! He's 3...so cute coming out of his little boy mouth!

The boys really loved the little kid air hockey table and I was really impressed with how good Kai was at it! Kalan for the most part was busy chasing around a little blonde girl...of course...but she seemed just as in to him :)

For the rest of the afternoon, we were outside where the weather was PERFECT!! Seriously, sunny and 75 degrees..woo hoo!! It's supposed to cool down to the 60's next week (which is sweater weather to me, lol) so we are enjoying our afternoons in the warm sun!

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world, there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." ~ Pablo Casals

Inflatable Zone Katy

Bouncing baby boys!

Air hockey! Kai was pretty good!

Kalan...not so much, but he was cute trying!

TWENTY

Am I really only one day 20 of 365?!! Wow, feels like I have been doing this for months, lol!

Tonight, I let the kids watch a movie in Amaya's room before bed and when I walked by, as I was puting up laundry, Kalan had the Mr. Potatohead items scattered about. I got the giggles as he was trying to put one of the noses on himself, and was able to snap a quick picture of him wearing the glasses! This kid is such a mess. He has been getting into trouble today and going to time out for hitting. He doesn't necessarily hit Kai or Amaya to be mean, more just a "pay attention to me!" slap...but I still won't tolerate it b/c I have a strict "no hitting, slapping, spitting, pushing, throwing random items at your sibling policy"...heehee :)

It's kind of hard to get mad at him though because he is so cute when I put him in time out, and especially when he says he's sorry with big hugs..but it must be done to keep him from turning into an even wilder maniac.

Even though he's been testing his limits lately...A LOT....99% of the time he just wants someone to laugh at him...and it works. I bet even you couldn't help grinning at this picture! I just love my little monkey!

"I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring."~Liz Armbruster

Nineteen

Today the boys and I went over to our friend Amy's house. The girls and I are working on some crafts we are getting ready to start selling and the boys played in the deluxe playroom.

This is Kalan and his buddy Hudson. It is so fun to watch these kids grow up! Hudson was born exactly one month to the day after Kalan. It was so nice when we first moved to Katy to meet a group of about 5 girls who were all pregnant like me. So, we have a small group of kids who have grown up over the past 2 years together. They all hit milestones at different times, but they each are so special on their own and bring a new dynamic to our group, that continues to grow as new friends are met and new babies are born.

May God bless each one of these precious children that both drive us crazy and complete us all in a day!

"A child is a curly dimpled lunatic." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Eighteen

Yesterday was a full day. We had Daddy with us for the full day so we ran around..took the kids to eat, had our taxes done, etc, but we put off the grocery store for one more day..so I get to do that today, alone with 2 boys...jealous? I have found a money saving tip though...I make a menu at home and then buy only what I need to make the menu for the week...including a few small bonuses like oreos or a box of brownies :) I have found that if I do this instead of the "go and grab" (which tends to always leave something forgotten) I save myself a significant little amount of moolah. Now, if I could just get into coupons, I would be totally satisfied...but those things I swear just get wadded up in my purse!

Anyway, now onto the picture! The kids got a pop up play tent for Christmas and enjoyed it for a few days until our little linebacker, Kalan, bent the frame when he jumped on it. It came with this long tunnel to crawl through and for the past few days the kids have been curling it around their bodies and pretending to be snails...it's pretty cute!

"Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love."~Zig Ziglar

SEVENTEEN

We got a rare treat today, Adam had a Sunday morning off! We went to church as a whole family and came home to pizza and football. What a perfect Sunday! When Adam is home, Amaya intertwines herself around him for the time. Today, as he was watching football, she went and got her stuffed animals and piled them on him and together they played. So sweet. From the time she was born they have had a bond that can't be explained..it's just the thing that happens between a Dad and his little girl. What a lucky little girl to have a dad who is complete when she is on his lap...or hanging around his neck...or standing on his feet...

“Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.” ~Joseph Addison

SIXTEEN

Today was sooooo one of those days. I love my kids more than anything, but I would have let Calgon "take me away" if given the chance at any point during the day. I took this pic of Kai when he went to bed tonight, because honestly, I had been waiting for bedtime for most of the day. That little boy is the sweetest funniest kid most of the time, and also a full blown 3 year old bundle of energy and attitude at the same time. Three is the hardest age for me. I have not witnessed the "terrible twos" much, but 3's.....Lord help me! The boys spent most of the day bickering with eachother. Kalan finds it hilarious just to get under Kai's skin sometimes, and boy was he achieving his goal today. A three year old can test your patience like it is an olympic sport to see how far they can go before smoke comes out of your ears! Amaya developed the typical attitude that comes with being a girl sometime around this age, and I look back in horror at the nights we spent battling bedtime and clothes. Only over the last few months has she eased up on throwing a fit about clothes and will just go to bed on her own...hallelujah! Kai doesn't give me problems with bedtime, he just is trying out his position around here with crossing his arms, sticking his nose in the air and saying "NO" when he doesn't want to do something, and he has zero tolerance for anyone taking anything from him...which is Kalan's ultimate goal.

So, in a nutshell, rough day....but all the same, I wouldn't trade my little boogers for anything, and when they look so innocent while asleep it's hard to remember them even acting ugly at all. God give me the peace I need to rest up between the time Kai turns 4 and Kalan turns 3!

"There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

FIFTEEN

"The Lovely Bones"

I started a book club with some of the mom's in my mom's group. We have been trying to come up with a good read...other than the twilight saga for a while, lol.... and when I saw the trailer for this movie coming out soon, I thought it would be good to read it and then have a night out for dinner/movie with the girls.

I read The Lovely Bones quite a while ago and remember it being a difficult read because of the premise of the story. A young girl is murdered and from her "heaven" she tries to help her father find her murderer. I think it has been easier for me to read it this time around because I already had read it once (though I remember nothing but the basic storyline...so it feels new) and also because I kind of knew the story already, so I knew what I was geting into. It's especially hard to read as a parent because you can't imagine EVER going through the loss of a child, especially the way Susie Salmon does in the book. It has reminded me how precious life is though and to make sure you remind those you care about how much you love them because sometimes life is tragically cut short.

Today was the perfect day to read...all rainy outside, so while the kids were occupied with school/nap/movie, I swaddled up in my leopard snuggie, made a warm cup of tea and continued through my journey to help Susie bring her murderer to justice.

"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love." ~Henry Drummond

FOURTEEN

Today was dreary and rainy, so we took the boys to run some energy off at the mall. They had a blast, and it's funny to watch who they pick to play with. Kai found a little boy who was thrilled to play dinosaurs with him and Kalan found a little girl with a blonde ponytail like his big sister's and followed her around. I think it is so cute that when we go play places he finds girls that remind him of Amaya to play with. Because he's still a "baby" to them and not yet a "pesky boy", the little girls are usually thrilled with the attention.

Amaya came home from school and announced that Ryan told her he loved her and she told him she loved him too. Kindergarten romances are hot these days!

This afternoon Kalan got to play with his new present he got from some friends called a Leap Frog Tag Junior. He LOVED it...all the kids did! When you push the little Tag reader to it's book, it reads and makes animal sounds, etc. This caused for quite a while of entertainment for the kiddos! Thanks Amber and Stacey-great gift!

"A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided." ~Robert Brault,

THIRTEEN

"Figuring it out"

Sometimes I feel like I am in a rush to figure everything out. Like I have to master being a mom NOW so that I can be ready for anything that may come along. I feel like I need to start learning how to deal with problems like bullies, peer pressure, responsibility..and the dreaded BOYS before the time comes and I am not prepared! As mothers of young children, we worry so much about our children's futures...honestly, I find I do this with Kai a lot. Because he was born with his heart condition, he will never be able to play sports at any level higher than intramural. I worry he will have a hard time fitting in with other boys because so much of socialization with boys revolves around sports and I worry he will feel like an outsider. Jumping the gun a little soon, I know..but he's my kid and I'm allowed to worry. I pray often that he finds his "niche" in life early on so that we can nurture that and he can be proud of whatever talent God gave to him.

I worry about Amaya for all the reasons that we worry about our daughters...they will fall to peer pressure, they will have their hearts broken...etc. I know she won't be perfect and she will make mistakes, but I hope she always is able to remember how much she is adored by us, and be strong enough in her values to be able to stand behind them.

With Kalan, I just worry that the world isn't ready for him...he's like a Tasmanian devil and a teddy bear wrapped into one package!

Then I remember that I don't have to worry. I have help from above...and that gives me peace. Is there a gift better than peace? I can't think of one! May you all find peace in today and learn to cherish these special moments God has blessed us with!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

TWELVE

A two year old is so many things.A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings.A hugger of teddies, a sweet sleepy head.And someone to dream for in bright years ahead.A special new person who right from the start,has a place in the family and a coarse in your heart.And just when you think you've learned all the things,that your dear son is,and the joy that he brings,a hug or a grin comes with such a sweet surprise,that love finds you smiling with tears in your eyes. ~Unknown

Just for fun...kids being kids

Their mom ROCKS ;)

Kalan, get off the table!

Sidewalk art

Kalan was supervising the artists.

Day 11

It's Day 11 and I'm still hanging in there! I never knew that taking one picture a day and uploading it and blogging about it would be such a commitment! I have been assured that if I continue, it will be something I treasure for a lifetime...so here I go!

Kai, or "Kai Bear" as he's known around here usually runs from the camera, or has a tendency to blink at just the right time when I try to get a picture of him. I was delighted today when I caught these 2 shots of him just being a 3 year old. First, concentrating hard on being a T-Rex, then riding his big wheel he got for Christmas for the first time! I am so happy that our Houston winter has returned at it is in the 50's instead of the 20's! The kids are enjoying being out in the sunshine, as we all are. We LOVE Mondays, because that is our "Daddy day". The restaurant is closed all day, so we get Adam all day to ourselves! We went to eat lunch together and walked around the new furniture store that opened and just enjoyed being together. Amaya is about to get off the bus and I am sure she will wrap herself around her Daddy's legs and not let go until around 8:00, when she is peeled off to get ready for bed. Even though Adam's job requires many hours, I am so glad he is such a great Dad when he is home and for one day out of the week I hear "DAD!" 4,000,000 times in a day instead of "MOM!!" My ears need a break sometimes, lol!

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man." ~Rabindranath Tagore

Project 365, Day 10

We stayed in our pj's for the day yesterday! It's nice to have days like that. On Sundays we almost always go to church, but yesterday their colds were getting the best of them and so we stayed in, not wanting to spread the germs.

I spent the day cleaning and catching up on laundry while the kids played...and fought...and then played some more. For after dinner I had made an apple pie, so the kids got all bathed and in their clean pj's and had a little warm pie before bed. Can you tell the Kalan like it just a bit?! Nothing wrong with a little apple pie before bed, in his opinion!

Here's to another week, hopefully of warmer weather, but sure to be full of love and laughter!

"While we try to teach our children all about life,Our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt

Princess Tea Party- Proj. 365, day 9

Today was our friend Abby's 4th birthday party, and she had a "Princess Tea Party" at The Storybook Cottage! So cute! All the little girls dressed like pricesses and had tea and cupcakes and have their nails painted...they loved every minute of it! These are some pics of Amaya all dressed up and ready to go. She felt so big because it was the first time I got to drop her off and not stay at a party with her. When I look at these pictures of Amaya, I still see my little baby girl in there, she hasn't lost her innocent little girl face yet! As I was getting her ready, I was thinking about all the fun we will have while getting her ready to go to dances and proms..and one day in the FAR future, I will help her get ready for her wedding. For now, and for as long as she will let me, I will hold on to tea parties and cupcakes and giggles.

I didn't get a good picture of the birthday girl, Miss Abby, she was busy dancing around in her dress! I did get a cute shot of Amaya and her two good friends, Madeline and McKenna all dressed up at the party! What a special day for the little princesses in our lives, thanks Brandi and Abby for having such a great party for all of our "big girls"!

"Little girls dance their way into your heart, Whirling on the tips of angel wings, Scattering gold dust and kisses in our paths" ~unknown

I realize this photo is mediocre at best, but yesterday was a busy day and so I didn't get much to work with :) We spent the morning letting the boys run some energy out at the "castle mall" aka Memorial City. Boys are so much different from girls, in my experience. Amaya doesn't seemed phased much if she is stuck indoors for a couple of days, but with boys, you have to let them run wild to get their abundance of energy out! So, we made the trek in the 27 degree temperature to the mall and let them play. Then I went on a mission to find Amaya a coat. Little did I know it would be such a big deal to find one! I must say, that ever since we have lived in Houston, I haven't bothered much with a "winter coat". For the last couple of years, I think it got in the 40's for like a day or so...but mostly a sweater with a hood is sufficient enough to get through those few and far between days. Then comes this year. First snow and now below freezing temperatures! Poor Amaya rides the bus (because she insisted she wanted to) and she looks so pitiful walking to the bus stop a few doors down at 7:30 in the morning that I decided I HAVE to get her a heavier coat! Which leads to this picture... it was Kalan's first time on an escalator (standing on his own) as we shopped through the mall. He thought is was the best thing ever, and insisted on doing it "by myself!" Oh to be a child again and to think riding an escalator is the most fun ever possible!

"The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives." ~Robert Brault

Project 365-7

Just when we thought his seemingly endless runny nose had run its course, it came back full force yesterday. Poor baby spent today day sneezing and being chased around with a tissue, since he starts running at the sight of one of us coming to wipe his nose. This was him when he just woke up from his afternoon nap. He didn't wake up in the best mood, especially since having a stuffy nose doesn't help you sleep very well! The one thing I do enjoy when he has a cold is that he likes to lounge around with me and lets me hold him just a little longer than usual before heading off to tackle Kai. I wish he would stay this age forever..I just love this phase of life. He's still so innocent and full of wonder and giggles, and still takes a nap! The good thing is though..I know he'll always be my baby.

"Making the decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." --Elizabeth Stone

Project 365, Day 6

Kai is sooooo into dinosaurs right now. For Christmas, Santa brought the kids "Ice Age 3:Dawn of the Dinosaurs" and he LOVES pretending he is a dinosaur. He stomps around everywhere (let me just tell you, when he is upstairs stomping, the ceiling rattles!) and he ROARS as loud as he can. He is delighted when anyone and everyone join in and so we have all polished up and are quite accomplished at our "roaring" skills around here. The only problem is...when we are at the mall playing at the indoor playground, the other kids don't quite understand the little boy crawling around and growling at them...so we have had to chat about keeping it to a minimum when in public, lol! I love my little dinosaur and his big blue eyes!

"Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do." ~Jean de la Bruyere

Project 365-Day 5

Today, my Mom (Nana) and I took the kids to Cracker Barrell for lunch. The kids had so much fun looking around the country store and rocking in the kid-sized rocking chairs on the porch. In the store, Amaya found this Jack-in-the-box and showed Kalan how it worked. It never failed...everytime the little sock monkey popped out of the box, Kalan giggled in delight and demanded "again!" We had such a fun time looking through all the neat stuff, and Amaya and Kai had pancakes for lunch...their favorite! Amaya starts school again tomorrow after a long Christmas break and we're going to miss having her around all the time again....Kalan especially.

Now that winter break is over, I may crack down and really start potty training Kalan...what a relief that will be when I don't have to buy any more diapers!! We have been buying them for 6 years now almost continuously! Kalan actually enjoys using his "big boy potty," but I don't think it'll be so fun when he doesn't so much get the option of using it or not! Wish me luck!

365, day 4

I couldn't just choose one picture today, so I chose to show off the "men in my life"...okay, right now they are just little boys, but they are just so precious to me! I didn't grow up with any brothers or around many boys, and so I had no idea what I was getting into when I found out I was pregnant with a boy-Kai. Then, 21 months later, God blessed us with boy #2-Kalan. I can't even express into words what these little guys mean to me. They are so full of energy and complete messes most of the time. They keep me on my toes and keep me (and my ears) busy. They are best friends, but complete opposites all at the same time. Kai is a bit more shy, but when he needs to be heard, he makes sure he is heard! He is a bit more of a loner, but LOVES when he gets all of the attention. I try to make sure that Kai always feels like he has a special place in our family, because I know sometimes middle children feel a bit left out. Kai is my sensitive soul and I love that about him!

Kalan, on the other hand, demands the attention at all times. He is the typical last born child and loves to make a scene. He just turned 2, but has mastered the "sad face", making his eyes bigger and his lip poke out so you feel sorry for him and give him what he wants. Does it work? Yes, absolutely. He LOVES the ladies and often I find him drifting towards the girls when I take him places to play. I think we are really in for it with him! While he is a maniac most of the time, he is still a snuggler and loves it when I kiss him in between each crib slat at night. He always needs "one more kiss"...and that's okay with me!

I am so excited to see who these little guys turn out to be in life. I am also glad that they have a wonderful big sister who can help properly teach them how to treat a lady :)

"A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams." ~Author Unknown

On a roll!!

So, I'm on a roll with keeping up with my 365! It's day 3 and I thought I was having a hard time catching a good picture...my kids are not always crazy about a camera following them around! This morning was full of running around getting ready for church, and this afternoon we lounged around. Then, Amaya and Nana sat down to play a game and when I saw them I thought this perfectly captures Amaya. She is so into games right now. Anything she can find..cards, dominos, Shoots and Ladders, puzzles, etc. I don't always take the time she wants me to and sit down to play, but one of my New Year's resolutions is to do this more!

"Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility" ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin

My 365-Day 2

What a great big sister Amaya is! For the last few nights she has been reading to the boys when they get into bed. Kalan adores her and calls her "my 'Maya". Kai idolizes her and nothing makes him happier in this world than when Amaya laughs when he is being silly. Now that she is reading, it is actually her idea to go tuck the boys in and read them each a story...sometimes 2. I love that she loves to read, but I love even more her big heart!


"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Mark 10:14

Project 365

I have been inspired by so many of my friends who took on a huge challenge last year of taking one picture a day for one year! This year I have decided to take this on! What a beautiful way to watch the people in your life grow and change!

I can't help but notice how much has changed over the last year for us! Kalan turns 2 today and it has just flown by. What a blessing he is. Adam and I never planned on having a 3rd child, but Kalan has truly brought a special light into our life than we never knew we were missing until he joined us. May he have many many more beautiful years ahead of him!

I am so excited to begin this new year! I have big plans for this year and am planning on enrolling in school either this summer or in the fall! I would love to graduate with my masters by the time Kalan enters kinder, but even getting close will be a big accomplishment! I also plan on really taking time to sit down with my kids. They are really such good kids (though we do have our moments)! They have such kind hearts and I really want to cherish them being young. Having your baby turn 2 really makes you realize how fast it all goes by. Soon Amaya will go to 1st grade and Kai will enter pre-school and Kalan and I will be the only ones left at home...for a short while. I pray that my kids eyes remain bright with the innocence and hope that childhood bring.

Adam is excited about the restaurant he works at, it really seems to be a hit both in Cypress and in Katy! I pray that it continues to prosper over the years and continues to bless all those who put in the long hours to make it successful!

I hope that as this new year begins, everyone takes the chance to slow down and be thankful for all the good things that have blessed us in our lives. 2010 may bring on more challenges, but God never gives us anything we can't handle! May all of your new years bring you joy, love and hope!

Since that picture was taken yesterday, please check back for today's picture! XOXO-Lindsay